Mediterranean mandarin tree named ‘Sigal’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct mandarin variety of Citrus deliciosa Ten. named ‘SIGAL’, particularly characterized by easy-peeling, late ripening, high quality flavor, flattened fruit shape at stalk end, medium size fruit, dark orange skin color and lacking seed.

Botanical name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Citrusdeliciosa Ten (ex C. reticulata Blanco).

Variety denomination: ‘SIGAL’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of amandarin tree, botanically known as Citrus deliciosa Ten., of theRutaceae Family, and hereinafter referred to by the variety denomination‘SIGAL’.

The new Citrus deliciosa Ten. variety is a product of a planned breedingprogram conducted by the inventors, Nir Carmi, Yoram Eyal, HannaNeuman-Leshem, Ahuva Frydman-Shani, Yosef Yaniv, Aliza Vardi, AvrahamElhanati, Kanonich Yehoshua and Fanberstein Luba in Bet Dagan, CoastalPlain, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to develop anew late-ripening, easy-peeling, seedless mandarin variety, with highquality and excellent flavor.

The new Citrus deliciosa Ten. variety originated from a cross made bythe inventors in 1995 in Bet Dagan, Coastal Plain, Israel. The female orseed parent is the Citrus deliciosa Ten. designated ‘ORAH’ (unpatented).The male or pollen parent is the Citrus deliciosa Ten. designated ‘SHAM’(patented U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,634). The new Citrus deliciosa Ten.‘SIGAL’ was observed and selected by the inventors within the progeny ofthe stated cross, in a controlled environment in 2006 in theAgricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center.

Asexual propagation of the new Citrus deliciosa Ten. variety ‘SIGAL’ bygrafting onto ‘Troyer’ citrange—Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb. x Poncirustrifoliata L. (unpatented) was first performed in April 1996 in BetDagan, Coastal Plain, Israel, and has demonstrated that the combinationof characteristics as herein disclosed for the new variety are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualpropagation. The new variety propagates true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe characteristics of ‘SIGAL’, which in combination, distinguish thismandarin plant as a new, unique and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Easy-peeling;    -   2. Late-ripening;    -   3. High quality;    -   4. Excellent flavor;    -   5. Fruit shape at stalk end flattened;    -   6. Medium size fruit;    -   7. Dark orange skin color; and    -   8. Seedless fruit.

In comparison to the parental varieties, ‘ORAH’ (unpatented) and ‘SHAM’(patented U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,634), ‘SIGAL’ differs primarily in thetraits listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison of ‘SIGAL’ with its parent varieties. Male parentFemale parent ‘SHANI’ (patented New variety ‘ORAH’ U.S. PlantCharacteristic ‘SIGAL’ (unpatented) Pat. No. 13,634) Surface mediumrough rather smooth smooth Fruit color of pale orange white reddishalbedo Fruit filling of hollow half filled hollow core Color of rinddark orange orange red orange

Of the many commercial varieties known to the present inventors, themost similar in comparison to the new Citrus deliciosa Ten. ‘SIGAL’ isCitrus deliciosa Ten. ‘MURCOTT’ (unpatented), in the followingcharacteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Comparison of ‘SIGAL’ with commercial variety. ComparisonVariety New Variety ‘MURCOTT’ Characteristic ‘SIGAL’ (unpatented)Surface medium rough rough Fruit color of pale orange pinkish albedoFruit filling of hollow filled core

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Citrus deliciosa Ten. variety ‘SIGAL’ showing the colors as true asis reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colorsin the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited inthe detailed morphological description, which accurately describe thecolor of ‘SIGAL’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new Citrusdeliciosa Ten. Variety ‘SIGAL’ are of a thirteen year-old tree.

FIG. 1 shows an adult tree of ‘SIGAL’;

FIG. 2 shows a typical leaf of ‘SIGAL’;

FIG. 3 shows a typical mature fruit of ‘SIGAL’, viewed at base and apex;

FIG. 4 shows a mature fruit of ‘SIGAL’ in cross section;

FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of skin oil glands of a mature fruit of‘SIGAL’;

FIG. 6 shows the albedo on the inside peel of a mature fruit of ‘SIGAL’.

DETAILED MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Citrus deliciosa Ten. ‘SIGAL’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new variety mayvary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, day length, soil or pruning, without any change in thegenotype of the mandarin plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘SIGAL’ asgrown in the orchard in Bet Dagan, Coastal Plain, Israel, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice.

The described trees were grafted on ‘Troyer’ citrange—Citrus sinensis(L.) Osb. x Poncirus trifoliata L. (unpatented) and planted at adistance of 1.5×5 m in sandy red loam soil at an elevation of about 30meters above sea level with irrigation of 100 m³ per hectare duringsummer, and addition of 1 liter of fertilizersN:P:K;(7:3:7+micro-elements (trace elements)) per 1 m³ of water. Averageannual rainfall is about 550 mm, with an average of 350 mm of rainfallin winter (December to February). Mean diurnal minimum temperature inJanuary is 7.2° C., and mean diurnal maximum temperature in July is30.8° C.

Unless otherwise stated, the detailed morphological description includesobservations, measurements and values taken from 2009 to 2011 and basedon thirteen-year-old ‘SIGAL’ trees, grafted in 1996 and grown in theorchard in Bet Dagan, Coastal Plain, Israel. Quantified measurements areexpressed as an average or a range of measurements taken from a numberof plants of ‘SIGAL’. The measurements of any individual plant, or anygroup of plants, of the new variety may vary from the stated average orrange.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), (1986 edition), except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsin full sunlight in Bet Dagan, Israel.

All of the plants of ‘SIGAL’, insofar as they have been observed, havebeen consistent in all the characteristics described below.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Citrus deliciosa Ten.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Citrus deliciosa Ten. ‘ORAH’            (unpatented).        -   Male or pollen parent.—Citrus deliciosa Ten. ‘SHAM’            (patented U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,634).-   Propagation: Grafting onto ‘Troyer’ citrange—Citrus sinensis (L.)    Osb. x Poncirus trifoliata L. (unpatented).-   Growing conditions:    -   -   Light intensities.—Full sunlight.

TABLE 3 Climatic growing conditions - temperatures and precipitation orrainfall Jan. Feb. March Apr. May Jun. July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.Mean  17.8 18.1 20.1 24.5 27 29.2 30.8 31.2 30.4 28.3 24.1  19.7 maximumair temperature (° C.) Mean   7.2  7.1  8.8 11.5 14.6 17.9 20.6 21.219.4 16 11.8   8.6 minimum air temperature (° C.) Mean rainfall 140.596.9 66.1 17.5 2.2 — — —  0.4 20.4 76.2 130.3 (mm)

-   -   -   Fertilization.—A balanced fertilizer with level of 7:3:7            (N:P:K)+micro-elements.        -   Growth regulators.—None applied.        -   Pruning.—Manual pruning is applied. The size and overall            shape of mandarin trees essentially depend on pruning and            spacing. ‘SIGAL’ was pruned creating a tree which is ovoid            in shape with 2 or 3 main brunches. When the trees are            freely grown, the size and the shape assumed by the trees            are typical of Citrus deliciosa Ten.

TABLE OF CHARACTERISTICS

-   Tree:    -   -   Age.—Observed trees were thirteen years old.        -   Fruit.—Type: mandarin.        -   Tree.—Vigor: strong. Height: about 4 m. Diameter of crown:            about 4 m. Overall shape: ovoid. Density of canopy: medium.            No of main brunches: 2. Diameter of trunk: about 10 cm.            Color of bark: dark gray closest to RHS 199 A. Surface of            bark: slightly rough. Lenticels: not visible.        -   Main branches.—Attitude: nearly upright. Angle relative to            trunk: about 15°. Length: about 3 m. Thickness: 10-15 cm.            Typical and observed main branch internode length:            internodes are not separately visible. Color of bark: dark            gray closest to RHS 199 A. Surface of bark: rough.            Lenticels: not visible.        -   Water shoot.—Water shoots were removed.        -   Young leaf.—Anthocyanin coloration: absent. Upper side green            medium green RHS 137 C. Lower side medium green RHS 144 A.            Surface: smooth. Glossiness: weak. Pubescence: very weak.        -   Fully developed leaf blade.—Length: 105-120 mm. Width:            44-55 mm. Shape in cross section: concave. Twisting: absent.            Blistering: weak. Upper side dark green RHS 137 A. Lower            side medium green RHS 144 A. Leaf shape: elliptic. Texture            (upper surface): smooth. Texture (lower surface): smooth.            Pubescence on upper side: absent. Pubescence on lower side:            absent. Firmness: medium. Undulation of margin: absent.            Depth of incisions of margin: very shallow. Shape of apex:            acute. Shape of base: obtuse. Glossiness: medium. Venation            pattern: reticulate. Upper side dark green RHS 137 A. Lower            side medium green RHS 144 A.        -   Petiole.—Length: 14-18 cm. Thickness: about 1 mm. Width of            wing: 1-2 mm. Width of wing relative to leaf blade: very            narrow. Shape in cross section: straight. Upper side dark            green RHS 137 A. Lower side medium green RHS 144 A.            Pubescence: absent. Surface: smooth.        -   Petiole wing.—Color of upper side: dark green RHS 137 A.            Color of lower side: medium green RHS 144 A. Surface:            smooth.        -   Flower bud.—Anthocyanin coloration: absent. Shape:            spherical. Color: greenish white RHS 157 A. Length: 5-8 mm.            Diameter: 4-5 mm.        -   Vegetative bud.—Anthocyanin coloration: absent. Shape:            spherical. Color: medium green RHS 144 A. Length: 2-3 mm.            Diameter: 1-2 mm.        -   Flower.—No. of petals: 5. No. of flowers per axil node: one            or few. Shape: star-like. Depth: about 7 mm. Diameter of            corolla: 18-22 mm. Scent: typical for Citrus. Flowering            period: starts end of March, duration about three weeks.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 4-5 mm. Shape in cross section: circular.            Color: light green RHS 144 C. Thickness: about 1 mm.        -   Sepal.—Number: five. Shape: triangular with acute apex.            Length: minuscule. Width: minuscule. Margin: entire.        -   Calyx.—Diameter: 5-6 mm. Color: between light yellowish            green RHS 145 B and light green RHS 145 C. Shape: flattened.            Shape of apex of lobe: acute. Size: miniscule.        -   Petal.—Shape: elongated. Length: 9-12 mm. Width: 4-7 mm.            Color of upper side: white RHS 155 B. Color of lower side:            white RHS 155 B. Texture of upper side: smooth. Texture of            lower side: smooth. Apex: rounded with slight mucron.            Margin: entire. Base: truncate.        -   Stamina.—Number: about 18.        -   Anther.—Length: less then 1 mm. Color: yellowish orange RHS            13 A. Shape: elongated.        -   Filament.—Length: 6-9 mm. Thickness: less than 1 mm. Color:            white RHS 155 B.        -   Pollen.—Color: between very dark yellow RHS 13A and dark to            very dark yellow RHS 13 B. Viability: low.        -   Ovary.—Shape: flattened-globose. Length: about 5 mm.            Diameter: about 3 mm. Color: medium green RHS 137 C.        -   Style.—Length: 6-8 mm. Diameter: about 2 mm. Color: very            light green RHS 144 D.        -   Stigma.—Shape: flattened rounded. Color: dark yellow RHS 13            C.        -   Fruit.—Fruit overall shape: flattened-rounded. Length:            45-54 mm. Diameter: 65-80 mm. Ratio length/diameter: shorter            than broad. Position of maximum diameter: in the middle.            Shape in cross section: rounded scalloped. Shape at stalk            end: flattened. Depression at stalk end: absent. Neck:            absent. Radial grooves at stalk end: absent. Floral disc            below calyx: miniscule. Abscission layer between calyx and            fruit: present. Shape at distal end: flattened. Depression            at distal end: present. Depth of depression at distal end:            1-2 mm. Diameter of depression relative to fruit: small.            Areola: present. Conspicuousness of areola: very weak. Type            of areola: smooth. Presence of areola: complete. Diameter of            areola relative to fruit: large. Stylar scar: typical.            Diameter of stylar scar: miniscule. Persistence of style:            absent. Navel opening: sometimes present. Diameter of navel            opening: medium. Protrusion of navel: absent. Radial grooves            at distal end: absent. Main color of surface: dark orange            RHS 28 B. Pubescence of surface: absent. Glossiness: medium.            Roughness of surface: medium rough. Evenness of size of oil            glands: even. Size of larger oil glands: about 1 mm.            Conspicuousness of larger oil glands: weak. Pebbles on oil            glands: dense. Color of oil glands: dark to very dark orange            RHS 28 B. Firmness: firm. Thickness of rind: about 2 mm.            Adherence of rind to flesh: weak. Strength of rind: weak.            Oiliness of rind: weak. Oil glands on inner side: non            conspicuous. Color of albedo: light orange RHS 27 C. Density            of albedo: medium. Adherence of albedo to flesh: strong.            Amount of fibers in albedo: few. Differently colored spots            in flesh: none. Bicolored segments: none. Color of flesh:            dark to very dark orange RHS 25 B. Texture of flesh: fine.            Filling of core: hollow. Diameter of core: 17-21 mm. Number            of non-developed segments: none or very few. Number of            developed segments: many 11 or 12. Number of open segments:            none. Adherence of segments: strong. Strength of segment            wall: strong. Length of juice vesicle: 3-6 mm. Thickness of            juice vesicle: 2-3 mm. Conspicuousness of vesicle wall:            strong. Adherence of juice vesicles: strong. Presence of            navel viewed internally: absent. Amount of fruit per tree            per season: the amount of fruit per season is as a complex            performance characteristic dependent on the age of the tree,            climatic conditions and management like pruning, irrigation,            and fertilization. Average Juice content: 46%. Average fruit            weight: 130-155 g. Juice content: medium. Total soluble            solids: 15.8. Acidity of juice: 1.2. Strength of fiber:            medium. Number of seeds: none or very few undeveloped.            Flowering habit: once per year. Fruit ripening: mid-January            to mid-March. Parthenocarpy: present. Time of flowering            March.-   Disease resistance: Brown Spot, Alternaria alternata pv. citri    pathotype tangarin Solel.-   Pest resistance: No atypical resistance has been noted.-   Disease susceptibility: None observed.-   Pest susceptibility: None observed.-   Shipping/storage characteristics: ‘SIGAL’ mandarins can be stored    for a period of 3 to 6 weeks at low temperatures of between 2-8° C.    ‘SIGAL’ mandarins are chilling tolerant, and are resistant to common    cold quarantine insect disinfestation treatments.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of mandarin, Citrus deliciosaTen., tree named ‘SIGAL’, as illustrated and described herein.